Welcome SamuelYYC. It is always good to get another view on a subject.

Here is mine. I buy cheap tickets and have no expectations of an upgrade. I am Elite and give AC a fair portion of my flying business. I recognize that certain deadheading employees have a contractual right to the J cabin....but it is my understanding that others deadheading have a right to a seat whereever available.
The optics of putting deadheading staff in J is not good from the perspective of the frequent and loyal AC flyer. It conveys the implict aqnd clear message that employees come first and that frequent flyers customers are second. In business, the client centered approach is the way to go. I am all for treating employees with care and dignity. This is good business practice
I just think that fostering a image of "employee class" is bad business. It is a question of priority...the customer or the employee.
Here is my two cents...seen from the frequent flyer perspective. FWIW...